Liel Abada: New Celtic signing revels in 'dream' switch from Israel
- Published
Liel Abada has signed a five-year contract with Celtic
New Celtic arrival Liel Abada says he "didn't think twice" about moving from Israel to the Scottish Premiership.
The 19-year-old signed a five-year deal on Thursday, leaving Maccabi Petah Tikva in his homeland for an undisclosed fee.
The teenager earned a first call up to the Israel squad in June.
"It was last week that I received the information the club were interested in me and I immediately said yes," said Abada after his first training session.
Speaking through a translator, he added: "It's amazing for me to arrive at a big club like Celtic. It really is a dream. I know this club and the supporters have a big name and I really want to show this club and the supporters what I can do.
"I know I will give 100% of myself in every practice and every game. I will try and give my potential to this club and I really want to bring nice results."
When announcing the deal, Celtic said Abada's 13 goals in 38 appearances last season had "attracted interest from major European clubs".
Overall, he scored 20 goals in 76 appearances for Maccabi Petah Tikva and made his one Israel appearance as a substitute in a 3-1 friendly win over Montenegro.
"I think it's on the right side that I am the strongest but I can also play on the left side," he said. "I will do what the coach asks me to do and I will give my best to the team.
"It is one of my goals here to take the title with Celtic. Of course we all have our projects and targets as a club but we will will do the maximum to regain this title."
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